There is growing concern about the frequency with which the Rio Cobre is being polluted allegedly by a local bauxite entity. As this is no stranger to headlines some stakeholders demand corrective action once and for all.
On Saturday, the National Environment and Planning Agency, NEPA, confirmed a stream of water emerging from an underground source approximately 300 meters upstream of the recreational bathing area at Zepherton, before it merged with the Rio Cobre. The Agency asserted there was no indication of pollutants, nor any impact on the river’s ecosystem. This fisherman however tells a different tale. Vice Chair of the St Catherine Parish Development Committee adds, with the help of self-test kits provided by the Jamaica environmental trust, an Imbalance in the water’s PH and oxygen was found. He says the authorities must take action. Watch the report: